Bunionectomy

What Is a Bunionectomy?

Bunionectomies are used to excise or remove bunions; enlargements of the joint located at the base of the big toe.  Various types of anesthesia are used according to the seriousness of the deformity.  The surgeon makes an incision into the swollen area to remove the enlarged lump of bone and soft tissue.  It may be necessary to realign the bones of the toe through subsequent incisions.  In some cases the toe bone may need to be cut.  If the joint surfaces are damaged, the bones can be held together with screws, wires, or metal plates.   

Pins used to hold the bones in place for the recovery period are removed within a few weeks of the surgery.  Milder cases may simply require repairs to the tendons and ligaments of the big toe. Some severe cases require the removal of the entire joint.  At the end of the bunionectomy, the surgeon sutures the incision shut.  Compression dressings are usually wrapped around the foot to keep it in alignment and reduce swelling.  The patient may need to remain in the doctor’s office for two to three hours after the bunionectomy to allow the anesthesia to wear off.